In the biogas power plant Flörsheim-Wicker biogas production is followed by another treatment stage in which the generated fermentation residues are dewatered in four HUBER screw presses, type RoS3 Bio. The press liquor generated in the dewatering process is pre-treated in a HUBER Flotation Plant. The effluent from the flotation plant is clear water. After the successfully executed plant start-up experienced HUBER service technicians optimized the supplied products and peripheral equipment on site. The plant operators RMD Rhein-Main-Deponie GmbH had then to make another decision.

It was of great importance for the operators to sustainably secure the high quality of the applied technology and high availability of the plants. They therefore concluded a HUBER Service and Maintenance Contract. In view of the enormous requirements on the equipment required to handle the difficult to treat material the operators examined beforehand in detail the features of the different types of the HUBER Service Contracts (HS1, HS2, HS3). Major reasons for decision were regular checks for wear and securing high machine availability within quarterly executed routine maintenance. These criteria are covered by the HUBER contract type HS3.

The main features of the contract are the following:

Maintenance:

• Regular check-ups of all machines and peripheral equipment on the basis of check lists.
• Evaluation of the status of each relevant machine area including accurate examination for wear and according data recording.
• Lubricant replacement
• Replacement of spare and wear parts that are identified to be at the permissible wear limit within the scope of regular maintenance to ensure plant availability until the next regular maintenance.

"Schutzbrief" guarantee:

• Functional and operating guarantee between maintenance intervals.

Hotline service:

• Call-back guarantee within 8 hours after receipt of the fault report, even on Sundays and holidays.

48-hour trouble shooting service:

• Guaranteed visit by a HUBER service engineer within 48 hours after confirmation by the HUBER Service Centre.

Product optimisation package:

• Check-up of the overall function and process of the machines including upstream and downstream processes.
• Inspections according to HUBER-equipment-specific HS3 check sheets. The HS3 check sheets are evaluated in the HUBER service centre.

After we had received from RMD the order for a  type HS3 service contract for lot 3 (dewatering of fermentation residues and wastewater treatment) and type HS2 for lot 1 (reception and intermediate storage of liquid bio-waste), we could for a second time prove our expertise in the execution of maintenance and the high benefit for the customer.  Together with AWS, the operators commissioned by RMD, we contribute to ensuring operating reliability and hence continuous problem-free operation of the complete biogas power plant.

HUBER service contracts keep you on the safe side. Different versions are available that meet your individual requirements. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Lahnstein of RMD and Mr. Quack of AWS for their confidence and look forward to a long-term successful cooperation.

by Hubert Stadler